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Reform Judaism and homosexuality

Policies of the Central Conference
of
American Rabbis (CCAR)

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Review of the Central Conference of American Rabbis:

The Central Conference of
American Rabbis (CCAR) is the largest group
of rabbis in the American Reform tradition. Their membership includes about 1,800 rabbis who serve over 1.5
million Reform Jews. They have gradually taken a increasingly inclusive
approach to homosexuality. On 2000-MAR-29, they overwhelmingly approved a "Resolution
On Same Gender Officiation" giving rabbis the option of presiding at gay and
lesbian commitment ceremonies if they wish.

Statements by the CCAR:

Within the Reform movement, by far the largest association is the Central Conference of
American Rabbis (CCAR). It is the largest group
of rabbis in America. They have about 1,800 male and female members.
These are rabbis serving at least 1.5 million Reform Jews.

The Conference has gradually taken a increasingly inclusive
approach to homosexual matters:

1977: The CCAR passed a brief resolution which was unusually
liberal for the time:

"WHEREAS, the Central Conference of American Rabbis has
consistently supported civil rights and civil liberties for all people,
especially for those from whom these rights and liberties have been
withheld, and

WHEREAS, homosexuals have in our society long endured
discrimination,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that we encourage legislation which
decriminalizes homosexual acts between consenting adults, and prohibits
discrimination against them as persons, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that our Reform Jewish religious
organizations undertake programs in cooperation with the total Jewish
community to implement the above stand." 1

1990: The CCAR created an Ad Hoc Committee on
Homosexuality and the Rabbinate in 1986. They adopted the report of
the Committee in 1990. It said, in part:

They were unable to reach a consensus on the nature of
homosexuality. They concluded that "...for many people sexual
orientation is not a matter of conscious choice but is constitutional
and therefore not subject to change. It is also true that for some,
sexual orientation may be a matter of conscious choice."

They reported that: "the majority of the committee affirms that
heterosexuality is the only appropriate Jewish choice for fulfilling
one's covenantal obligations. A minority of the committee dissents,
affirming the equal possibility of covenantal fulfillment in homosexual
and heterosexual relationships. The relationship, not the gender, should
determine its Jewish value."

They recognized the equality of all Jews, regardless of their sexual
orientation.

They support equal rights for homosexuals and welcome them into
their synagogues to pray.

The committee urges that all rabbis, regardless of sexual
orientation, be accorded the opportunity to fulfill the sacred vocation
that they have chosen.

However, they recognized that "the acceptance of gay or lesbian
rabbis [is] an intensely emotional and potentially divisive issue." 2

Reform Judaism does
not currently discriminate on the basis of either gender or sexual orientation when
ordaining rabbis. They do not require their rabbis to follow a celibate lifestyle.

1996-MAR: They passed a resolution stating:

"BE IT RESOLVED, that the Central Conference of American Rabbis
support the right of gay and lesbian couples to share fully and equally
in the rights of civil marriage, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CCAR oppose governmental efforts
to ban gay and lesbian marriage.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this is a matter of civil law, and
is separate from the question of rabbinic officiation at such marriages." 3

1998-JUN: The "Ad Hoc committee on Human Sexuality"
issued their report. It is well worth reading for persons of all
religious affiliations -- and none -- because it delves into all aspects
of human sexuality from a spiritual perspective. Some points raised
were:

"Sexuality and sexual expression are integral and powerful
elements in the potential wholeness of human beings."

"Authentic and ethical human relationships should be grounded in
both truth and honesty."

"Both partners in an intimate relationship should strive to
communicate lovingly."

"Reform Judaism encourages adults of all ages and physical and
mental capabilities to develop expressions of their sexuality that are
both responsible and joyful. The abuse of human sexuality can be
destructive to our emotional, spiritual and physical health."

"The importance of family, whether biologically or relationally
based, remains the foundation of meaningful human existence."

"For sexual expression in human relationships to reach the
fullness of its potential, it should be grounded in fidelity and the
intention of permanence....A sexual relationship is covenantal when it
is stable and enduring and includes mutual esteem, trust, and
faithfulness."

"In a Reform Jewish context, a relationship may attain a measure
of kedusha (holiness) when both partners voluntarily set themselves
apart exclusively for each other, thereby finding unique emotional,
sexual and spiritual intimacy."

"...kiddushah (holiness) may be present in committed, same gender
relationships between two Jews, and that these relationships can serve
as the foundation of stable Jewish families, thus adding strength to the
Jewish community. In this spirit, we believe that the relationship of a
Jewish, same-gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate
Jewish ritual, and that each rabbi should decide about officiation
according to his/her own informed rabbinic conscience." 3

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2000-MAR: The CCAR overwhelmingly approved a
resolution giving rabbis the option of presiding at gay and
lesbian commitment ceremonies. The resolution stated, in
part:

"WHEREAS justice and human dignity are cherished Jewish values,
and

WHEREAS, in March of 1999 the Women’s Rabbinic Network passed a
resolution urging the Central Conference of American Rabbis to bring the
issue of honoring ceremonies between two Jews of the same gender to the
floor of the convention plenum, and

WHEREAS, the institutions of Reform Judaism have a long history
of support for civil and equal rights for gays and lesbians, and

WHEREAS, North American organizations of the Reform Movement have
passed resolutions in support of civil marriage for gays and lesbians,
therefore

WE DO HEREBY RESOLVE, that the relationship of a Jewish, same
gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish
ritual, and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that we recognize the diversity of opinions
within our ranks on this issue. We support the decision of those who
choose to officiate at rituals of union for same-gender couples, and we
support the decision of those who do not, and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon the CCAR to support all
colleagues in their choices in this matter, and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that we also call upon the CCAR to develop both
educational and liturgical resources in this area." 4

Some individuals commented on this decision:

Rabbi Shira Stern heads the Women's Rabbinic Network. She
said: "This is not a woman's issue, or a gay or
lesbian issue. This is a human rights issue...For Jews who
have no choice in the matter of sexual identity, we as leaders
of the movement must provide them with the religious framework
in which to celebrate their union."

Rabbi Charles Kroloff, president of CCAR's said that: "gay
and lesbian Jews, and the committed relationships they form
with their partners, deserve the recognition and respect due
to people created in the image of God."

Rabbi Paul Menitoff, executive vice president of CCAR, said:
"It is not sinful to be a gay and lesbian...It is
sinful to have these [homophobic] prejudices and act out on
them."

Maranatha Christian News Service, a conservative Christian
group, commented that "Both Kroloff and Menitoff
stressed the same-sex ceremonies weren't civil marriages
recognized by law, but Kroloff said that some rabbis who have
already been performing the ceremonies call them marriages.
The Torah condemns male homosexual intercourse, but a decade
ago Reform Judaism approved openly gay rabbis. Reform
Judaism's rabbinate bases its position on contemporary
understanding of homosexuality and the Jewish values of human
dignity and justice."

Rabbi Kenneth Hain, president
of the Rabbinical Council of America, an Orthodox
Jewish group, criticized the CCAR saying that they had
undermined the unity of Judaism and had made "another
tragic assault on ... the sanctity of our people...As a
timeless faith rooted in divine revelation, Judaism's laws
cannot be abrogated by fiat or majority vote or redesigned to
fit a current behavior pattern." He said that Judaism
cannot confer "legitimacy upon relationships which our
Torah and tradition specifically prohibit." 5

"This afternoon the Central Conference of American Rabbis, meeting in Greensboro, NC, adopted a resolution by an overwhelming vote stating, in part, that 'the relationship of a Jewish, same gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish ritual'."

It is important to note what the resolution on same gender unions does and does not say. It does not compel any rabbi to officiate at such a ritual, and indeed supports the right of a rabbi not to officiate. It does not specify what ritual is appropriate for such a ceremony. It does not say that the ceremony performed should be called a 'marriage.'

Nonetheless, the historical and religious significance of this resolution is indisputable. For the first time in history, a major rabbinical body has affirmed the Jewish validity of committed, same gender relationships. ..."

"I would like you to know that, voting as an individual, I cast my ballot in favor the resolution. I did so because of my belief that our gay and lesbian children, relatives, and friends are in great need of spiritual support; that the Torah’s prohibition of homosexuality can reasonably be understood as a general condemnation of ancient cultic practice; that loving, permanent homosexual relationships, once difficult to conceive, are now recognized as an indisputable reality; and that in these relationships, whether or not we see them as 'marriages' it is surely true that G-d and holiness can be present.

I know that many disagree. But whatever one thinks on the commitment ceremony question, I assume that we will respect those who believe otherwise, and remember what unites us in this debate: our responsibility to welcome gays and lesbians into our synagogues. Because this I know: if there is anything at all that Reform Jews do, it is to create an inclusive spiritual home for all those who seek the solace of our sanctuaries. And if this Movement does not extend support to all who have been victims of discrimination, including gays and lesbians, then we have no right to call ourselves Reform Jews." 6

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above
essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

"Resolution Adopted by the CCAR: Rights of Homosexuals,"
Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1977 at: http://www.ccarnet.org/

"Resolution Adopted by the CCAR: Report of the Ad Hoc Committee
on Homosexuality and the Rabbinate," Central Conference of American
Rabbis, 1990 at: http://www.ccarnet.org/